The president was caught hiding $500,000 in his bed. The politician who said he will eradicate corruption says where is the money

South Africa’s former president, Cyril Ramaphosa, was elected on his promise to eradicate corruption. Now, however, he may be forced to resign due to a major scandal involving the theft of a large sum of money from his animal farm, which – as he admitted – was actually hidden in a sofa, reports said. CNN.

South Africa’s president is on trial in 2020 over the theft of $500,000 in cash from his private cattle farm. Investigators say the money was actually taken and stuffed into a leather couch with the employer’s knowledge. .

A commission headed by a former chief justice found that the crime was not reported to the police and a deliberate decision was taken to cover it up.

Arthur Fraser, the former head of South Africa’s secret services, says the theft was carried out with the complicity of a female worker, and that the bond was hidden from police and tax authorities. Fraser, detailing his allegations in a statement, said Ramaphosa paid off associates to keep quiet.

Ramaphosa says the bed money came from selling buffaloes from his farm to a Sudanese businessman and that the theft was reported to the president’s security chief.

The president also disputes Fraser’s claims that the hidden amount was more than $4 million.

“Some criticize me. I want to assure you that all this money comes from selling animals. I have never stolen money anywhere. From our taxpayers or anyone. I have never done this before. I never will,” he told members of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party in June this year.

Ramaphosa is a well-known owner and trader of rare buffaloes, cattle and other wildlife and has become a multi-millionaire in this business.

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The commission that heard the case found that Ramaphosa’s explanations were insufficient and that he would have breached the constitution if he had a second income after that of the head of state.

Top ANC leaders are due to meet to discuss the commission’s report, and while the party has a rule targeting misbehavior by its members, a party spokesman told local television that it only applies to “alleged criminals”.

Ramaphosa was recently entertained by King Charles III during his first state visit with a lavish ceremony at Buckingham Palace, but corruption at home threatens to end his political career, prompting speculation in the country’s political circles that he will resign.

A conference to elect the leadership of the ANC is due to take place in mid-December and is likely to be dominated by presidential issues.

South Africa’s opposition leader has launched impeachment proceedings and called for early elections.

“The report is clear and unambiguous. Most likely, President Ramaphosa has violated several constitutional provisions and must answer. Impeachment proceedings must continue and he must provide a much better and more detailed explanation than we have been given so far,” said John Steenhuizen, president of the Democratic Alliance.

The commission was appointed by the Speaker of Parliament on a motion submitted by an opposition party.

Although the ANC has a majority in this forum, the National Assembly can review the report and initiate impeachment proceedings.

Ramaphosa took office after his predecessor, Jacob Zuma, was forced to resign amid multiple corruption allegations.

A former union boss and multi-millionaire in the cattle trade, Ramaphosa has repeatedly said the fight against corruption is a priority in his mandate.

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Shortly after the report was released, Ramaphosa’s office reiterated its statement to the jury: “Throughout my tenure as President I have endeavored not only to honor my oath of office, but also to set an example of respect for the Constitution, its institutions, fair trials and the law. I have never violated this oath in any way.” I categorically deny, as well as deny that I am guilty of any charge leveled against me.

Representatives of the presidential administration said Ramaphosa would study the report and make an announcement “in due course”.

Author: Liviu Kojan

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